I've read that in the late 1940s Stalin planned to hold a conference to discuss the ideological difficulties of physics in the Soviet Union, but called it off (presumably because of the successful Soviet atomic bomb test). I understand that there would have been difficulties with things like history, economics and genetics which dealt directly with the past, present and future of the Soviet Union and its people, but what was the logic behind attempting to curtail some of the more esoteric disciplines (Physics, Linguistics)?

In the late 1940s, some of the physical theory, in particular the
Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, as well as special and
general theories of relativity, were also subject to criticism because
they were deemed "idealistic" [15]. Soviet physicists, such as KV Nikolsky
DIBlokhintsev developed a version of the statistical interpretation of
quantum mechanics, which was regarded as more conforming to theprinciples of
dialectical materialism [16] [17] [18].

However, despite the fact that it was originally planned [6] [19],
this process has not gone as far as defining "ideologically correct"
version of physics.

In late 1948, preparations began for the All-Union meeting of heads of
departments of physics, scheduled for March 21, 1949, with the aim of
correcting the alleged deficiencies in physics. [20] [21] was released
collection of essays "Against idealism in modern physics", which
criticized the Soviet followers of the ideas of Albert Einstein. [20]
[21] Proposals were put forward to crush "Einsteinianism" in physics. [21]

2 Answers
2

Stalin took ideology seriously...

He also believed that "Учение Маркса всесильно, потому что оно верно" ("The teachings of Marx is omnipotent because it is true").

He also understood the critical importance of science and technology.

He also continued the age-old Russian national mentality "we are surrounded by sworn enemies" in its class version (workers vs bourgeois instead of Russians vs others)

This lead him to place an overriding importance on the correct indoctrination of scientists - both

as the means of improving the scientific work as a part of the "material" Cold War competition

to use the Soviet scientists' superiority in the Ideological Warfare.

...but only up to a point

The only reason he did not purge physics of quantum mechanics is that he was told by Kapitsa in no uncertain terms that he will not have an atomic bomb without quantum mechanics (other sources mention Kurchatov and/or Khariton talking to Beria: since the Physics "discussion" was scheduled after Philosophy and Biology, the physicists knew what was in stock for them and fought, so it is likely that there were many such conversations).

Quantum mechanics

The specific reasoning behind his rejection of Quantum mechanics is manifold.

First of all, he did not understand it (which is not surprising, given his lack of scientific background and the complexity of the subject), which, combined with his overblown self-image (decades of flattery took its toll on the aging man), led him to think that it was worthless - especially given some counter-intuitive implications.

Second, quantum mechanics clearly and explicitly contradicted a direct quote from Lenin's book "Materialism and Empirio-Criticism": "Электрон так же неисчерпаем, как и атом" ("Electron as just as inexhaustible as the atom") because it reduced the properties of electron to a few numbers (charge, mass, spin) instead of ascribing it an infinite divisibility.
Remember that a quote from Marx/Engels/Lenin was enough to win any argument in the Soviet Union:

Similarly, the Big Bang theory contradicted the doctrine of eternal universe, which made General Relativity unacceptable.

Third, the natural laws of a totalitarian state require suppression of any free thought everywhere. Stalin's laxity in enforcing the rigid ideological control in physics resulted in it being the spawning ground of dissidents (Sakharov, Tverdokhlebov, Orlov) - as well as the excellence of Soviet physics school.
The same goes for mathematics, by the way (Esenin-Volpin, Shafarevich, Shikhanovich).

Linguistics

This subject is far from esoteric!

It helps to define the notion of a "people", and the political implications of nationalism in the 20th century are impossible to underestimate.

E.g., Stalin's support for Kurds and Israel had to be scientifically justified (remember, Marxism was supposed to be a science) and linguistics provided a means.

I'd like to add that at least Hitler deemed Quantum-Mechanics a 'jewish science'; I am not aware of any proof of Stalin thinking the same but it could be one more reason. About linguistics: The feminist movement is really active on that front
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user45891Jul 29 '14 at 16:16

3

I think it was Relativity rather than Quantum Mechanics that was suppressed by the Deutsche Physik.
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sdsJul 29 '14 at 16:25

Generally Relativity and Quantum-mechanics were at odds with the "Luminiferous aether theory" (Äthertheorie) which Lenard tried to push (He actually proved the Photoelectric effect which was important for the groundwork of Quantum Physics and only later became openly opposed to it). In doing that he e.g. labeled Heisenberg e.g. a "white Jew".
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user45891Jul 29 '14 at 19:00

"his overblown self-image (decades of flattery took its toll on the aging man)" he had an overblown self-image even as a teenage boy.
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jwentingJul 30 '14 at 6:40

As you know, quantum mechanics has some difficult philosophical problems even today. In the USSR the main champion of the criticism was Blokhintsev who was a proponent of ensemble interpretation. So in any case this would not be an attack on quantum mechanics as such but an attack on a particular interpretation viewed by some as not compatible with dialectical materialism. It is not really necessary to ascribe any such move to Stalin personally.

-1 Any major event in USSR was rooted in Stalin's will - especially such major events as scientific "discussions". See the Pollock's book I cite.
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sdsJul 30 '14 at 13:04

4

+1 for annoying sds
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user1990Jul 30 '14 at 21:24

@sds consider the discussion in linguistics. Once Marr en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Marr was successful to push his own (fringe) theory about language claiming it is more compatible with Marxism-Leninism. But Stalin intervened against his theory publishing his own article against it. If he not intervened, Marr's followers possibly would succeed to destroy their opponents.
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AnixxJul 31 '14 at 4:10

2

yep, and following Stalin's paper Marr and his followers were defenestrated instead. So what?
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sdsJul 31 '14 at 11:25